Molecular Systems Control in Networks of Communicating, Phase-Separated Droplets in Yeast
Abstract
Condensate-based synthetic and systems biology will provide opportunities to compartmentalize or segregate reactions and to gain precise (spatial and temporal) regulatory control over newly introduced processes in biological systems. In addition, the approach will enable the expression of new modalities that could equip the cells with transient and collective properties and functions to render them externally controllable by physical (magnetic, radiation) outputs, and to provide cells with new protective functions in response to environmental triggers. The ability to dynamically control these condensates through application of physical stimuli, which activate designed synthetic circuits to regulate their content, their movement, their interactions and their functions- would provide unprecedented control over engineering of transient phenotypic functions not normally found in biological systems. This will open new doors to engineering cells to participate in new communication modalities, for functionality in extreme environments, and to exhibit adaptive behaviors that are currently unobtainable using existing systems and synthetic biology approaches. Progress in this area will require an integrated approach involving cell biology, biophysics, synthetic biology, systems biology and molecular design approaches; we have assembled a unique synergistic team that can address this challenge (Fig. 1).
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Mar 07, 2023
- Source ID
- FA95502110091
Entities
People
- Rein V Ulijn
Organizations
- Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Research Foundation of The City University of New York
- United States Air Force